To the shock of many, Labubus have risen to fame within the past months. The furry collectibles have invaded the hearts of thousands and found their homes as decorations on keychains, in bedrooms and many other places. Lingering questions echo among confused parents: where did these toys come from, and why are they so beloved?

The creatures originally come from “The Monsters,” a picture book series created by Kasing Lung. Inspired by Nordic fairy tales, Lung created the book, featuring a tribe of female elves known as Labubus. In 2019, Lung collaborated with POP MART to create the stuffed toy. In the following years, the collectibles sold well. The global infamy Labubus experienced, however, could not be expected. 

The collectible’s major spike in popularity is often attributed to BLACKPINK member Lisa. In April 2024, the K-pop star posted photos of herself with the plush toy accessorizing her bag. After starting the craze, Lisa would not be the only celebrity to sport a Labubu. Dua Lipa and Rihanna have been spotted with Labubus decorating their bags. Other celebrities like Paris Hilton and Kylie Jenner have shared glimpses of their children’s head-turning collections. 

A big factor that contributes to the obsession with Labubus is that they come in a blindbox. The blindbox feature adds a fun surprise element and encourages buying multiple to get the specific color you desire. It also allows for there to be ‘rare’ variations that people spend hundreds of dollars hunting for. 

The fame of Labubus has been questioned since they entered the public eye, with a key question residing in their looks. The internet has been split trying to decide whether Labubus are ugly or secretly cute. Whether you’ve fallen for their mischievous grin or not, the global fame of Labubus is undeniable.